Rajnath Singh Revives Nehru–Patel Debate With Claim Linking Babri Dispute to Public Funds

A fresh political storm has erupted after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a controversial statement linking Jawaharlal Nehru to the Babri Masjid dispute. Speaking at the Unity March event in Sadli village, Gujarat, held to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Singh claimed that Nehru had once suggested rebuilding the Babri Masjid using public funds, a proposal Patel categorically rejected. Rajnath Singh further alleged that after Patel’s death, Nehru recommended diverting money collected by the public for Patel’s memorial towards the construction of wells and roads — a move Singh described as an attempt to “suppress Patel’s legacy.” He emphasised that Sardar Patel was a genuinely liberal and impartial leader who never indulged in appeasement politics. These remarks came shortly after TMC leader Humayun Kabir’s controversial statement on the Babri issue, adding more heat to the ongoing debate. Singh also highlighted how structures like the Somnath Temple and the Ram Mandir were built through public contributions, reinforcing Patel’s belief in community effort over state funding. Meanwhile, the Congress hit back sharply, accusing the BJP of spreading false narratives and selectively rewriting history for political gain. The comments have reignited the long-standing Nehru–Patel ideological divide in national politics.